REVOLT IN BRAZIL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1930, Page 5

REVOLT IN BRAZIL

GERMAN LINER HIT

FIRED ON BY PORT

{United Press Association —By Electrt Telegraph'—Copyright. J

RTO DE. JANEIRO, October 25,

One of the most ghastly tragedies, growing out of the revolution, occurred last night, when 21 persons were killed, and 71 others were seriously injured by a shell fired from the Federal fortress at Santa. Clara upon the German passenger ship Baden, which was trying to slip out of the harbour here without proper clearance papers. Eighteen of the dead and 35 of the wounded are women and children. Four of the dead were members of the German crew.

The steamer had only arrived yesterday morning, and was eont.inuin<»; her voyage to Buenos Ayres, after a short visit., leaving the docks at three o’clock in the afternoon. The fortress of' Santa Clara, at the mouth of the harbour, was instructed to stop her. Three, blank shots were first fired by the fort, and Captain Ronelin, of the Baden, was also signalled to stop, hut he did not heave to. and a high explosive shot was fired, hitting a. group of passengers, who were massed in the forepart of the ship, and who were, chiefly Spanish immigrants for Argentina. The ship then returned to dock. The new administration hns hastened to dispatch nn abject apology to Germany for firing cm the steamer. The explanation is that it was a terrible mistake in misinterpreting the instructions that no one was to leave the city until the 'new government was installed.

The captain, of the Baden has been placed under arrest, the police blaming him For not responding to the orders. The German Ambassador,’ on instructions from Berlin, began an immediate inquiry.

The captain declared that he did not realise the significance of the warning shot, as the fortress had been firing all the morning during the progress of the overturning of the Government. The Ministry of Justice asserted that the Baden was not flying German colours, and that the fortress was not aware of her nationality. The captain t however, insists that lie was flying his colours. . ANOTHER ACCOUNT. VANCOUVER, October 25. Twenty-one passengers aboard, the German liner Baden were killed and 75 were injured by a shell fired from Fort Viga, in Rio de Janeiro, Bay. While .the Baden was steaming outwards in the afternoon, the fortress Of Santa Cruz ordered her to return to port. The captain ignored the command, and continued down the bay until the liner was sighted from Fort Viga,' when another shot smashed her mast. The steamer then returned. • REVOLUTIONARY LEADERS. aspects of uncertainty, RIO DE JANEIRO, October 20. An aspect of uncertainty hns entered into the control of the Government by the various factions within the revolutionary forces.' - The President-elect, Senor Prestes, is reported to have the support of the Sao Paulo Federal troops, which are still in the field and unvanquished, while Generals Vargas and Tavoras, who are commanding the revolutionary troops, are believed hot to be in complete agreement with the Junta, now in control of the capital. These various leaders are expected to make claims for the Presidency for themselves.

Anarchists looted and burned much property in Sao Paulo city. Three persons were killed and 20 were wounded, and the damage exceeds a million dollars.

In Eio de Janeiro, the streets are full of smouldering debris of wrecked political clubs and newspaper plants.

INSURGENT LEADERS TO MEET

BUENOS AYRES, October 24

The insurgent leaders are proceeding immediately to Rio de Janeiro to discuss the termination of the civil war and the formation of a new Government with the military junta.

A Sao Paulo message states: Fighting between the Federals and insurgents on the frontiers of Sao PauloParana States was halted by the overthrow of President Luis and the announcement of peace overtures from the new military junta in the Federal capital. While the Government is actually in the hands of Generals de Castro and Raritto, at Rio de Janeiro, the main element of the revolutionary forces under General Varois, is advancing 07i the State of Sao Paulo from Rio Grande de Sul. It is believed that these will march through the State to City of Sao Paulo and advance to Rio de Janeiro, thus consolidating the revolt. j

POSITION OF U.S. STATE DEPARTMENTSUPPORTED DEPOSED GOVERNMENT. WASHINGTON, October 25.i The American State Department is without much information, and is shinned by the sudden crisis. Tt finds itself in an admittedly embarrassing situation, due to the support given to the denosed Government. Tt is not known what attitude-it can take to*\vnrd the revolutionary Government, and the Secretary of State, Air H. L. gtimson, has refused to comment.

MANY CONFLICTING REPORTS

RIO DE JANEIRO, October 24

President Luis to-night submitted to the military junta, and left Guanabara Palace under heavily-armed escort to Fort Copacabnna. A later message slates that VicePresident Yia,nna and all other members of Honor Luis’s CL hi net have been arrested. Several • deputies - have also been held. President Luis is bold under arrest at the infantry headquarters and is guarded from the mob. It had been previously reported that President Luis and his family were refused refuge when they went with several Ministers to the United States Embassy. As usual, a multitude of eonflieting reports lias been issued from various sources, but the populace are not interested in the te hniealities of the situation, and continue to engage in a boisterous, colourful celebration of the relapse of authority.

PRESIDENT REFUSES TO RESIGN,

WASHINGTON October 24

Reports front Mr Morgan, the American Ambassador to Brazil, indicate that Senor Washington Luis, although imprisoned at the Presidential Palace, is stubbornly refusing to sign Ids resignation, despite the fact that his Foreign Office has admitted that the end of his administration has been reached.

Rebels have seized the city of Sno Paulo, and they control the whole country, which is quiet, save for continued earimjal-like celebrations.